Edward Augustus Tyler was born in Massachusetts in 1815 and trained as a watchmaker before he moved to New Orleans by 1841. Tyler worked in a partnership selling watches and jewelry at the beginning of the 1840s, but in 1844 he went into business by himself. For a brief time, he was an agent to Nunns & Clark, Chickering, and A. H. Gale piano companies, selling their instruments and sheet music alongside his watches and jewelry. During the Civil War, Tyler remained loyal to his adopted home and was imprisoned by Major General Benjamin F. Butler during the Union occupation. Tyler’s jewelry store at 115 Canal Street was very prosperous after the war. He employed silversmiths, jewelers, and watchmakers to repair jewelry and make some custom pieces. He also made regular trips to New York for merchandise and was an agent for major manufacturers.

E. A. Tyler advertisement

from Jewell’s Crescent City Illustrated

New Orleans, 1874

The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1951.41.54

Fish slice 
between 1859 and 1863; sterling silver
by Polhamus & Strong (New York)
E. A. Tyler, retailer (New Orleans)
The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1979.373

Christening set 
1870; silver, leather, silk, wood
by Whiting Manufacturing Co. (New York)
E. A. Tyler, retailer (New Orleans)
The Historic New Orleans Collection, gift of Dr. Charles F. Genre in memory of Emma Douglass Genre, 2016.0224.1–.6

Sugar bowl
between 1848 and 1865; coin silver
by Gorham Manufacturing Co. (Providence, RI)
E. A. Tyler, retailer (New Orleans)
The Historic New Orleans Collection,  1978.175.10 a,b

E. A. Tyler advertisement

1853

The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1974.25.1.69 i,ii